Description

William Seward: June 1865 Invitation to Laying of Corner Stone
of the Soldiers' National Monument at Gettysburg. Letter
Signed, as Secretary of State, 1 page, on black-bordered
stationery, 8" by 13", Department of State, Washington, June 12,
1865. To Alfred Berghmans. Separating at folds, else good: a
particularly striking and unusual letter. Less than eight weeks
after the assassination of President Lincoln, Seward issues this
formal letter of invitation to attend the laying of the corner
stone of the Soldiers' National Monument at Gettysburg National
Cemetery - the battlefield, of course, where Lincoln delivered his
noble address. "I have been requested by the President of the
Soldiers National Cemetery at Gettysburg, in Pennsylvania, to
extend you an invitation to attend the ceremonies of laying the
corner stone of the monument in memory of the soldiers who fell on
the battle field of Gettysburg, which is to take place on the 4th
of July next. The ceremonies cannot fail to be interesting..."
From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection. Accompanied by LOA from
PSA/DNA.